Nigerian Society for Animal Production Nigerian Journal of Animal Production
©
Abstract
Performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed maize-cassava diets supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur
Oguntoye, M. A., Idowu, O. M. O. and Oso, A. O.
Department of Animal Nutrition,
College of Animal Science and Livestock Production Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Corresponding author: [email protected]
The major challenges of cassava supplementation in poultry diets are high cyanide and low protein content. This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of maize-cassava diets supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur for broiler chickens. A total of 270 one day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to nine treatment groups of 30 birds with 10 birds per replicate. Starter and finisher diets were formulated and fed for a period of 56 days. Dietary treatments were subjected to completely randomized design. The birds were fed diets supplemented with 0, 125, 250 mg/kg DL-methionine and 0, 125, 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur from CuSO .There was a linear increase in final weight (FW) and total weight gain 4 (TWG) with supplementation of 125mg/kg DL-methionine across dietary sulphur levels at the starter phase. Birds fed diets supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL-methionine and 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur showed higher (p<0.05values of 463.23g, 424.66g and 2.66 for FW, TWG and feed conversion ratio respectively. The finisher phase followed a similar trend.
Carcass yield showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in dress weight, cut part and organ weight in birds fed diets supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL-methionine and 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur. The findings revealed that birds with diets supplemented with125 mg/kg DL-methionine and 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur showed improved growth performance and carcass yield. In conclusion from this study supplementation of DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur in diets for broiler chickens resulted in improved growth performance and carcass yield.
Introduction
Nigerian poultry farmers continue to experience a rise in cost of production as a result of the ever increasing cost of feeds.
Prices of conventional energy sources in Nigeria for feeding chickens keep increasing. Among these energy sources, maize is the most widely used and its price in the market has been the most unpredictable. This is partly because it has so many alternative uses and its production has not been able to match up the daily demands for both man and livestock.
Within the past three years, its price has fluctuated while those of unconventional feed sources like sweet potato remained
Keywords: Maize-cassava, DL-Methionine, inorganic sulphur, broiler chicken virtually stable and cheap.
Maize is currently the most widely used grain crop for feeding poultry in Nigeria, occupying 40-60% as the conventional energy source for poultry. Its price keeps on rising to a level causing instability in the poultry industry and the prospect of increasing its production to magnitude that can satisfy its various uses is an illusion.
There is therefore an urgent need to search for alternative energy sources if the collapse of poultry industry is to be averted. Non- conventional feedstuffs, according to Dafwang (2006) offer the best alternative in Nigeria for the reduction of feed cost and cost of animal products. Cassava root 233
Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 2017 44(1):233 - 244
contain highly digestible energy and are capable of providing high yield of energy per hectare just like maize (Hahn et al., 1992). Cassava contains the highest digestible energy (DE) among the root crops consisting of about 70-80% starch (Gomez, 1992). It is believed that through processing, its toxicity could be reduced to a tolerable level, thereby enhancing its usability as a replacement for maize.
Methionine has been shown to be the first limiting amino acid in broiler chickens diets and it is commonly used in commercial feeds (Ohta et al., 1993). Apart from the fact that it is an essential amino acid, it can also be converted to cystine in broiler chickens (Mendoca and Jensen, 1989). Methionine may also partly compensate for a deficiency of choline and vitamin B by providing the 12
needed methyl group. Little attention has been paid to the importance of sulphur in animal nutrition since the intake of this element is mainly in the form of protein.
Therefore, methionine and other sulphur- containing amino-acids have been utilized as the main source of sulphur for other metabolic activities apart from their primary functions as amino acids. It has been realized, however, that the amount of sulphur present in the diet may be limiting factor for the synthesis of cystine, cysteine and methionine (Mcdonald et al., 1992). It is imperative to carry out research with a view to arrest high cost of livestock feed associated with increase in cost of maize as energy source. Cassava is readily available and can be an alternative for maize.
However, cassava is of low crude protein compared to maize and this could be improved upon with supplementation of precursor such as amino acid and sulphur sources to aid biosynthesis of protein.
Materials and methods Experimental site
The research was carried out at the Poultry
Unit of the Directorate of University Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. It lies within the forest vegetation zone of western Nigeria at latitude 7ºS13' 49.46'N, longitude 3º26' 11.98'E with a mean annual rainfall of 1037 mm and average temperature of 34.7 C 0
(Google Earth, 2011).
Experimental birds and management A total number of 270 day old unsexed broiler chicks of commercial strain (Marshal Broiler) were purchased from a reputable hatchery in Abeokuta. The chicks were weighed and allotted to nine dietary treatment groups of three replicates each in a completely randomized experimental design. Each replicate consisted of 10 chicks, to have a total of 30 per treatment group. The chicks were brooded for two weeks and then reared on deep litter housing system in two phases: starter phase (0-4 weeks) and finisher phase (5-8 weeks) respectively. Routine vaccinations and medications were strictly adhered to and feed and water were given ad libitum.
Experimental diets
The experimental diets were formulated for both starter and finisher phases to meet N R C ( 1 9 9 4 ) m i n i m u m n u t r i e n t requirement. There were nine dietary treatments in a completely randomized design arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of 3 levels of DL –methionine (0, 125 and 250 mg/kg) and inorganic sulphur supplementation (0, 125 and 250 mg/kg). The dietary treatments include:
0mg/kg DL-methionine + 0mg/kg copper sulphate (T1),0mg/kg DL-methionine + 125mg/kg copper sulphate (T2),0mg/kg DL-methionine + 250mg/kg copper sulphate (T3),125mg/kg DL-methionine + 0mg/kg copper sulphate (T4),125mg/kg DL-methionine + 125mg/kg copper sulphate (T5),125mg/kg DL-methionine + 250mg/kg copper sulphate (T6),250mg/kg DL-methionine + 0mg/kg copper sulphate
Broiler chickens fed maize-cassava diets supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur
234
Table 1: Gross Composition of maize-cassava based diet supplemented with varying levels of DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur for starter broiler chickens DL-methionine levels (mg/kg)0.00125250 S levels supplemented (mg/kg)012525001252500125250 Ingredients: Maize30.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.00 PCRM20.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.00 Wheat offal6.006.006.006.006.006.006.006.006.00 Soy meal12.8012.8012.8012.8012.8012.8012.8012.8012.80 GNC24.0024.0024.0024.0024.0024.0024.0024.0024.00 Fishmeal (72%CP)3.003.003.003.003.003.003.003.003.00 Oyster shell1.501.501.501.501.501.501.501.501.50 Bone meal2.002.002.002.002.002.002.002.002.00 Lysine0.200.200.200.200.200.200.200.200.20 Premix*0.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.25 Salt (NaCl)0.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.25 Total100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00 Supplements: DL methionine---125125125250250250 CuSO4-125250-125250-125250 Determined analysis (%) Crude protein23.0123.0123.0123.0123.0123.0123.0123.0123.01 Crude fibre6.516.516.516.516.516.516.516.516.51 Ether extract4.614.614.614.614.614.614.614.614.61 Methionine**
0.320.320.320.320.320.320.320.320.32 Lysine**0.980.980.980.980.980.980.980.980.98 S**0.130.130.130.130.130.130.130.130.13 Ca**1.611.611.611.611.611.611.611.611.61 P**0.280.280.280.280.280.280.280.280.28 ME(kcal/kg)2860.032860.032860.032860.032860.032860.032860.032860.032860.03 *Premix to supply per kg diet; 9,000,000IU of VitA; 2,135,000IU of Vit D3; 20,000mg of Vit E; 1,340mg of Vit B1; 5,340mg of Vit B2; 1,670mg of Vit K3; 12,000mg of Pantothenate; 2,670mg of Vit B6; 13.4mg of Vit B12; 30,000mg of Niacin; 100mg of Biotin; 100mg of Folic acid; 0mg of Copper; 63,340mg of Iron; 78,000 of Zinc; 1,17340mg of Manganese; 775mg of Iodine; 180mg of Selenium and 10,000mg of antioxidant CuSO4= copper sulphate** = Calculated Value PCRM = Peeled Cassava Root Meal Oguntoye, Idowu and Oso
235
Table 2: Gross Composition of maize-cassava based diet supplemented with varying levels of DL-Methionine and inorganic sulphur for finisher broiler chickens DL-methionine levels (mg/kg)0.00125250 S levels supplemented (mg/kg)012525001252500125250 Ingredients: Maize30.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.0030.00 PCRM20.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.00 Wheat offal7.507.507.507.507.507.507.507.507.50 Soy meal12.0012.0012.0012.0012.0012.0012.0012.0012.00 Palm oil3.303.303.303.303.303.303.303.303.30 GNC21.0021.0021.0021.0021.0021.0021.0021.0021.00 Fishmeal (72%CP)2.002.002.002.002.002.002.002.002.00 Oyster shell1.501.501.501.501.501.501.501.501.50 Bone meal2.002.002.002.002.002.002.002.002.00 Lysine0.200.200.200.200.200.200.200.200.20 Premix*0.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.25 Salt (NaCl)0.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.250.25 Total100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00 Supplements: DL-Methionine ---125125125250250250 CuSO4-125250-125250-125250 Determined analysis (%) Crude protein18.3818.3818.3818.3818.3818.3818.3818.3818.38 Crude fibre7.637.637.637.637.637.637.637.637.63 Ether extract4.824.824.824.824.824.824.824.824.82 Methionine*0.280.280.280.280.280.280.280.280.28 Lysine**0.870.870.870.870.870.870.870.870.87 S**0.120.120.120.120.120.120.120.120.12 Ca**1.741.741.741.741.741.741.741.741.74 P**0.240.240.240.240.240.240.240.240.24 ME kcal/kg2894.512894.512894.512894.512894.512894.512894.512894.512894.51 *Premix to supply per kg diet; 9,000,000IU of Vit A; 2,135,000IU of Vit D3; 20,000mg of Vit E; 1,340mg of Vit B1; 5,340mg of Vit B2; 1,670mg of Vit K3; 12,000mg of Pantothenate; 2,670mgof Vit B6; 13.4mg of Vit B12; 30,000mg of Niacin; 100mg of Biotin; 100mg of Folic acid; 0mg of Copper; 63,340mg of Iron; 78,000 of Zinc; 1,17340mg of Manganese; 775mg of Iodine; 180mg of Selenium and 10,000mg of antioxida CuSO4= copper sulphate** = Calculated Value Broiler chickens fed maize-cassava diets supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur
236
(T7), 250mg/kg DL-methionine + 1 2 5 m g / k g c o p p e r s u l p h a t e ( T 8 ) and250mg/kg DL-methionine + 250mg/kg copper sulphate (T9).
Sources of ingredients and preparation The freshly harvested cassava tubers were obtained from Alabata village in Abeokuta.
The tubers were cleaned and washed free from soil particles, peeled and chopped into small sizes (0.5cm). They were spread on a concrete floor for 4 days to dry, packed and stored until time of use. DL –Methionine w a s s u p p l i e d b y A d i s s e o U S A Incorporation. North Point Parkway.
Alpharetta GA 30022 USA while the c o p p e r s u l p h a t e p e n t a h y d r a t e (CuSO .5H O) was obtained from Sigma 4 2
Chemical Company (St. Louis, USA).
Data Collection
Performance characteristics
The initial weights of the birds were taken on arrival. The live weights of the birds as well as the feed consumption were measured weekly. Feed conversion ratio for each replicate was determined by dividing the feed intake by the weight gain.
Average body weight =
Final body weight (g) – Initial body weight Number of birds
Feed conversion ratio = Total feed intake (g) Body weight gain (g)
Mortality =Number of dead birds x 100 Initial number of birds Carcass evaluation
At the end of the experiment, two birds per replicate were selected. Prior to slaughtering, the birds were starved but had access to clean water for 12 hours to clear gut content. The slaughtered birds were allowed to bleed thoroughly, feathers were plucked and eviscerated. The weight of the cut-up parts (thighs, drum sticks, breast, back, wings, head, neck and shanks), organs (gizzards, liver, lungs and kidney) were determined using sensitive scale (top
loading).
Statistical analysis
Data obtained were subjected to analyses of variance. Significant (P<0.05) means among variables were separated using Duncan Multiple Range F-test as contained in SAS (1999) package.
Experimental model Y = µ+A + B + (AB) + Eijk i j ij ijk
Y = Individual observationijk
µ = Population mean
A = main effect of varying levels of DL-i Methionine
B = main effect of varying levels of j
inorganic sulphur
(AB) =effect of interaction of DL ij
methionine and inorganic sulphur E = Experimental errorijk
Results
Ta b l e 3 s h o w s t h e p e r f o r m a n c e characteristics of starter broiler chickens fed the varying levels of DL-methionine and sulphur. With the exception of feed intake, all parameters measured were significantly (P<0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Birds fed diets supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL-methionine showed increased values for final weight and total weight gain with increasing level of inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO . 4
Higher significant (P<0.05) values of 463.23g, 424.66g and 15.17g were obtained for final weight, total weight gain and weight gain/b/d in the birds fed diet supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL- methionine and 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO compared to 4
the control diet. Least value of 2.67 was obtained for feed conversion ratio in the birds fed with diet supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL-methionine with 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO . 4
The result of interaction effect of varying levels of DL-methionine and inorganic
Oguntoye, Idowu and Oso
237
sulphur sourced from CuSO on growth 4
performance of finisher broiler chickens is presented in Table 4. Final weight, total weight gain, weight gain/b/d and feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by dietary treatment. Higher significant (P<0.05) values of 2057.6g, 1612.88g and 57.60g were obtained for final weight, total weight gain and weight gain/b/d respectively in the birds fed diet supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL- methionine and 250mg/kg inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO compared to 4
birds on Control diet. Lowest value of 148.78g was obtained for feed intake in birds fed diet containing 125mg/kg DL- methionine and 125mg/kg inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO . Feed 4
conversion ratio and mortality were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by combination of DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO . The 4
Effect of varying levels of DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur on carcass characteristics of broiler chickens is presented in Table 5. With the exception of head, lung, kidney and spleen all parameters were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. Highest significant (P<0.05) value of 2091.97g, 1967.12g, 1588.52g, 10.51%, 4.42% and 10.84% were obtained for live weight, plucked weight, eviscerated weight thigh, neck and drumstick respectively in birds fed with diet supplemented with 125mg/kg DL- methionine with 250mg/kg inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO . With the 4
exception of breast, drumstick and abdominal fat values obtained for diet supplemented with 125mg/kg DL- methionine increased with increasing level of inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO . 4
Values obtained for wing, back, neck, lung, heart and intestine increased with increasing level of inorganic sulphur
s o u r c e d f r o m C u S O i n t h e d i e t 4
s u p p l e m e n t e d w i t h 0 m g / k g D L - methionine. With the exception of live weight, breast and intestine similar values were recorded for parameters measured in the diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg DL- methionine irrespective of levels of inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO .4
Discussion
Improved final weight, total weight gain, weight gain/b/d and feed conversion ratio were observed at starter phase of the birds in the first experiment where DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur sourced were supplemented. Significant improvement in weight gain with increasing methionine level could be attributed to ability of methionine in enhancing biosynthesis of protein for tissue build up. Improvement in weight gain with increasing methionine level was reported by Wang et al.(2004).
Superior performance in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in birds fed with methionine supplemented diets either synthetic or herbal was reported by (Halder and Roy, 2007). Also, Garlick (1985) reported an improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) at starter phase when broiler chickens were fed diet supplemented with DL-methionine.
However, in contrary to the findings in the present study, Wang et al. (2004) reported that supplementation of DL-methionine did not result to improved FCR. The improvement in final weight, total weight gain, weight gain/b/d, feed conversion ratio and mortality achieved at the starter phase of this study following increased dietary inorganic sulphur could be due to ability of copper sulphate to stimulate enzymes involved in nutrient digestion and utilization. Significant improvement in weight gain and feed conversion ratio has been reported when broilers were fed diets supplemented with 125-250 mg/kg Cu
Broiler chickens fed maize-cassava diets supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur
238
Table 3: Effect of varying levels of DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur sourced from CuSO4on growth performance of starter broiler chickens DL-methionine levels (mg/kg)0.00125250 Sulphur levels (mg/kg)012525001252500125250 SEM
p- valu e Parameters Initial weight (g)38.9839.0538.8738.4038.9238.5838.8938.5639.030.220.240 Final weight (g)417.36d 421.46cd 421.64cd 419.41cd 423.61c 463.23a 422.22c 419.33cd 442.80b 1.320.000 Total weight gain (g)378.38d382.42cd382.77cd381.00cd384.69c424.66a383.33c380.77cd403.76b1.270.013 Weight gain (g/b/d)13.51d13.49d13.66cd13.61cd13.74c15.17a13.69cd13.60cd14.42b0.060.001 Feed intake (g/b/d)40.7141.4240.7040.7140.7540.3441.0540.7840.690.420.150 Feed conversion ratio3.01a3.05a2.98a2.99a2.97a2.66c3.00a3.00a2.82b0.030.000 Mortality (%)6.67a4.44ab4.44ab4.44ab4.44ab3.33b5.56ab4.44ab3.33b0.910.000 abcd Mean values in the same row having different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05) Oguntoye, Idowu and Oso
239
